In good company...

I posted this quite a while ago, when my LO first came home from the NICU. In the middle of my turmoil, I found this to be very inspirational, and it made me feel better about the future of my DS, as it allowed me to dream big dreams for him again. Every mother needs that, so I thought I'd post it again for the mothers who recently joined the group.

FAMOUS PREEMIES:

Winston Churchill-- Born on 30 November 1874, 2 months prematurely, in a bedroom in Blenheim Palace, England. He earned high marks in English and history and was also the school's fencing champion. He grew up to become arguably the most renowned political figure of the 20th century. On 15 January 1965, Churchill suffered a severe stroke that left him gravely ill. He died at his home nine days later, at age 90.

Sir Isaac Newton -- considered by a substantial number of scholars and the general public as one of the most influential men in all of history, and probably the most reknowned physcist, mathematician and scientist of all time. Born prematurely, he was a small child; his mother reportedly said that he could have fit inside a quart mug. Died at the age of 85 from mercury poisoning of all things.

Victor Hugo -- Hugo entered the world on February 26, 1802, landing in Besancon, France. His mother described him as "no longer than a knife." It seemed unlikely that the tiny baby would survive; in fact, it is said that Victor's coffin was ordered from the carpenter at the same time as his cradle. He later told Alexandre Dumas that even at 15 months he could not hold his head erect. Like many preemies, Hugo was determined to live and make his mark on society. He was a tiny baby born into a broken home, but he was to become one of the greatest writers of all time as well as a major figure in French politics. Died at age of 83.

Albert Einstein -- born in Ulm, on March 14, 1879, in the eight month of pregnancy. His father was Hermann Einstein, a salesman and engineer. His mother was Pauline Einstein (née Koch). Although Einstein had early speech difficulties, he was a top student in elementary school. He became one of the most influential physicists and a Nobel Prize winner. Died at age of 76.

Johannes Kepler -- a German mathematician, astronomer and astrologer, and key figure in the 17th century scientific revolution. Born prematurely, Johannes claimed to have been a weak and sickly child. He was, however, a brilliant child; he often impressed travelers at his grandfather's inn with his phenomenal mathematical faculty. Died at the age of 60, albeit in 17th century that age was considered long-lived.

Napoleon Bonaparte --was a military and political leader of France and Emperor of the French as Napoleon I, whose actions shaped European politics in the early 19th century. Napoleon was born during late 8th month of pregnancy. The second of eight children, he greeted the world in the Casa Buonaparte on Corsica, on 15 August 1769. Perhaps his premature birth was responsible for his infamously small stature. Either way, he "has always been distinguished for his application in mathematics. He was fairly well acquainted with history and geography. He went on to become a great military genius, and later on --- an emperor.

Mark Twain -- Accomplished American writer Mark Twain is also on the roster of famous preemies. He went on to also experience a premature death, when his obituary was accidentally published in a newspaper long before his actual passing, which ocurred in his 75th year.

P.S. Interesting how all the great physicist were premature...Coincidence? I think not!

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From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise You. Psalm 71